Discover Russell
Accommodation in Russell
Russell tells the story of New Zealand not just through dates: Christ Church bears traces of the fighting in 1845, Pompallier represents early French colonial architecture, and nearby Te Maiki/Flagstaff Hill offers views across bays and hills. This mix of local history and landscape offers different ways to shape your stay.
Historic traces in Russell
Christ Church was built in 1835 and is New Zealand’s oldest surviving church. During the 1845 battle between British troops and Māori warriors under Kawiti and Hone Heke, it became the focus of the fighting and received several bullet holes. The churchyard contains the graves of men from the Hazard who died in the battle, as well as those of Tamati Waka Nene and Hannah King.
Pompallier was built in 1841–1842 and is among New Zealand’s earliest surviving French colonial buildings. Clendon Cottage is one of the few surviving mid-19th-century buildings in Kororāreka and probably dates from after the 1845 Northern War. Associated with the cottage are Rewa, James Reddy Clendon, his wives Sarah and Jane, and his son-in-law, Rev. Frank Gould, and Gould’s wife, Fanny.
Te Maiki: Views, history and nature
Te Maiki/Flagstaff Hill is about 1 km north of Russell and was the catalyst for the Northern War, which contributed to the beginning of the New Zealand Land Wars. The Flagstaff Hill Loop Track starts at the intersection of Wellington Street and Kent Street, near the boat ramp on The Strand in Russell. The track winds through regenerating kānuka and mānuka scrub, descends to Waipara/Watering Bay Stream, and passes through a wetland.
The track leads to the summit of Flagstaff Hill (Te Maiki) and 360-degree views across the Bay of Islands. Te Maiki also offers panoramic views of the surrounding bays and hills, including the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Along this route, landscape and the history of the hill go hand in hand.
The bushland on Te Maiki is home to kiwi and weka, though these shy birds often stay hidden from visitors. You may encounter the endangered North Island weka along the track; it was successfully reintroduced to the Russell Peninsula by the Russell Landcare Trust. Dogs are not allowed at Te Maiki/Flagstaff Hill to protect kiwi. Check the Department of Conservation’s current guidance before your visit.
Cultural history at the Russell Museum
The Russell Museum’s collection is considered important for promoting New Zealand culture because Russell—then called Kororāreka—was at the threshold of the earliest connections between Māori and Pākehā. Together with the historic buildings, the museum offers another way to explore the history of the place.
Discover more destinations: Waipoua Forest, Kerikeri, Waimate North, Opua, Pakaraka, Kawakawa, Waipapakauri, Whangaroa.
For the broader travel overview: Far North District.
